Some thing can be as simple and unique to one person by just adding or subtracting some of the little subtleties in guitars. Like this guitar is called a hard tail simply because it has a non-tremelo bridge. Some epople brefer the sound of a consistent no-adjusting bridge. I don't care for it but not every guitar that I like will everyone else like either.

UTILIZATION

Model Name American Stratocaster® Hard Tail
Model Number 011-7430-(Color#) and 011-7432-(Color#)
Series American Series
Colors (700)* 3-Color Sunburst, add $50.00,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(725) Chrome Red,
(Polyurethane Finish)
Body Alder
Neck Maple, Modern “C” Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Rosewood (p/n 011-7430) or Maple (p/n 011-7432), 9.5” Radius (241 mm)
No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups 3 American Strat® Single-Coil Pickups
Controls Master Volume,
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. New Delta Tone™
(“Delta Tone” system includes high output bridge pickup and special No-Load tone control for Middle and Bridge Pickups)
Pickup Switching 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup
Bridge American Strat Strings-Through-Body Hard Tail Bridge with Stainless Steel Saddles
Machine Heads Fender®/Schaller® Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply Parchment
Scale Length 25.5” (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.6875” (43 mm)
Unique Features “Parchment” Knobs and Pickup Covers,
Original Headstock Shape,
Original Body Shape with “Original Contour Body” Decal on Headstock,
Rolled Fingerboard Edges,
H/S/H Pickup Routing

SOUNDS

This guitar has the same tone as the tremolo version, but some people wold disagree. I prefer the tremolo for versatility sake and don't find there to be any real need for the change but some people just disagree. I like the look of the hard tail as it is more consistent with the feel of the guitar. What I mean by that is that the guitar get get a good smooth look from top to bottom with the look of this bridge. Some wold say the bridge adds sustain to the guitar which is think it may has some added sustain but nothing to remove the tremolo for or anything.

This guitar was just a pure enjoyment to play with and even record with. The tone is a slap in the face of anyone who think that a Stratocaster is a country guitar. I have always liked the tone of a Fender Stratocaster with a good Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp. I would use an overdrive pedal of some sort with a nice delay pedal of some kind and the combination from all of that gear will give any one with an ear shot a head spin. The tone and sustain was phenomenal and pleasing to the ears. I would change the pickups though as Fender pickups are about the worst in the business.

OVERALL OPINION

These guitars gave been discontinued and for good reason because nobody who likes a classic Fender would care for this feature. It just doesn't jive with STrat enthusiasts. Sure there are some who would like this and that is why Fender made them for the short while but eventually went back to their roots and what they do right.